Treatment options
Treatment depends on the type, stage and overall health of the patient. Care is typically provided by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists, gastroenterologists and palliative care specialists.
Surgery
Surgery is the only treatment with the potential to cure pancreatic cancer. However, only about 15–20% of patients are candidates, because the cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs that circulate throughout the body to kill cancer cells. It can be given neoadjuvant (before surgery, to shrink tumors and increase surgical success), adjuvant (after surgery, to reduce recurrence risk), or as primary treatment for locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Radiation therapy
Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. It may be used in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) or alone.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy
Advances in genetics and molecular profiling have led to new treatment options for selected patients.
Testing tumors for genetic changes — biomarker testing — is critical to determine eligibility.
SourceFDA — Drugs approved for pancreatic cancer →Palliative and supportive care
Palliative care is not only for end of life. It should begin at diagnosis to improve quality of life.
Key takeaway
Treatment may involve surgery, systemic therapy, radiation, or a combination. Genetic and biomarker testing are increasingly important for guiding therapy, and palliative care should be integrated from the start.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the type, stage and overall health of the patient. Care is typically provided by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists, gastroenterologists and palliative care specialists.
Surgery
Surgery is the only treatment with the potential to cure pancreatic cancer. However, only about 15–20% of patients are candidates, because the cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs that circulate throughout the body to kill cancer cells. It can be given neoadjuvant (before surgery, to shrink tumors and increase surgical success), adjuvant (after surgery, to reduce recurrence risk), or as primary treatment for locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Radiation therapy
Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. It may be used in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) or alone.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy
Advances in genetics and molecular profiling have led to new treatment options for selected patients.
Testing tumors for genetic changes — biomarker testing — is critical to determine eligibility.
Palliative and supportive care
Palliative care is not only for end of life. It should begin at diagnosis to improve quality of life.
Key takeaway
Treatment may involve surgery, systemic therapy, radiation, or a combination. Genetic and biomarker testing are increasingly important for guiding therapy, and palliative care should be integrated from the start.